The Counterfeit

The enemy of God wants to keep humanity from the restoration available to us through Jesus Christ. He wants to disrupt and de-construct the plan God has had from the beginning for each and every human. That plan is to bring us into relationship with himself where we are made into his own image and likeness. As John 10:10 says, he wants to steal, kill, and destroy that process in our lives and take from God the worship he is due.

One of the tactics of the enemy is to present man with a counterfeit. This is nothing new. He tempted Adam and Eve with an alternative way to God, a counterfeit relationship and purpose of their own making. 

It seems like this tactic is more effective now more than ever. It's obvious when spiritual leaders in our country speak about defending the weak and helpless, standing up for the children of the world, and advocating for our neighbors, yet they speak with hate and unkindness. Where is their outrage for the millions of unborn children in our nation? Where is their compassion and tolerance for followers of Christ who call out their hypocrisy?

The appeal of the counterfeit is that we can make it in our own image. Man makes his own rules that sound like the kingdom way. He charts his own path to nowhere claiming the end of the road leads to a better humanity and a better more loving and kinder world. There is a better humanity and a better world waiting for us. Jesus said he left earth to go and prepare a dwelling place for us all. The road to that place is Jesus, who is the Way.

A man will never receive truth while he still holds on to a lie. He will remain blind until he yields all he sees to the Holy Spirit. If he continues to strive to save himself and his world, he will always be lost. The man with all the right answers that many in the crowd want to hear is the one who leads others to destruction.

Follow the one who seeks the Lord with every step. Look to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear the good news. Listen to those who hear then speak, then hear again and speak again. Follow those who follow the Holy Spirit the best they can in humility and openness. As the Apostle Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." 

This is the way of authenticity. This is the kingdom way.

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